Maps of Movies

Moana (2016)

Where Moana says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

An animated voyage across a Pacific that exists only on screen, built from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga

Scenes and places

The island of Motunui

Blight spreads across the island, killing vegetation and shrinking the fish catch. Moana, the chief's daughter, wants to sail beyond the reef to find out why, but her father forbids it.

Set in Motunui — The fictional Polynesian home island of Moana and her people.

An invented island in the central Pacific, drawing on Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

The reef Moana can't cross

Moana tries to sail past the reef on her own. The tides overpower her and she is shipwrecked, which only makes her more determined.

Set in The reef beyond Motunui — The reef that rings the island and keeps its people inside.

The edge of the world Moana's father allows her.

The secret cavern of ships

Moana's grandmother Tala shows her the cavern and tells her the people were voyagers. She gives Moana the heart and sends her to find Maui.

Set in Cavern of voyaging ships — A hidden cave on Motunui where the island's old voyaging canoes are kept.

A hidden place that shows the islanders were once ocean voyagers.

Where Maui is stranded

Caught in a typhoon, Moana is wrecked on an island and finds Maui. He refuses to return the heart, traps her in a cave and takes her boat, until she escapes and wins her way aboard.

Set in Maui's island — A small island where a typhoon leaves Moana, and where she finds Maui.

The place where the demigod is first found boasting of his deeds.

The coconut pirates' waters

Kakamora, coconut pirates after the heart, attack the camakau. Moana and Maui outwit them.

Set in Open ocean, Kakamora waters — The open water where Moana and Maui meet the Kakamora.

Open ocean with no fixed place; the scene is an homage to Mad Max: Fury Road.

Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters

Maui must retrieve his fishhook from Tamatoa. Moana distracts the crab while Maui goes for the hook, then her quick thinking gets them both out.

Set in Lalotai — The Realm of Monsters, home of the giant coconut crab Tamatoa.

An underworld realm of monsters beneath the sea.

Te Fiti's island

Moana and Maui reach the island and are attacked by Te Kā. Moana refuses to turn back, and Maui's hook is badly damaged.

Set in Te Fiti's island — The island where the heart must be returned.

The destination of the voyage, and the island Te Kā guards.

Home to Motunui

Moana returns to Motunui and to her parents, and takes up a new role among her people.

Set in Motunui — The home island, where the story began.

The island seen again after the voyage.

Characters

• Moana — The curious daughter of the chief of Motunui, chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
• Maui — A legendary, egotistical shape-shifting demigod who sets off with Moana on her journey.

Questions answered on the map

• Where was Moana's island really filmed?